5 hot chocolate recipes

Hot chocolate recipes for every occasion.

Photo Credit: Sharon Dominick

By Ann MacDonald
Few things are more cozy on a cold winter day than a steaming cup of hot chocolate. The rich flavor combined with the toasty temperature comforts, soothes and pleases every member of the family. Try the following recipes for a chocolate drink you are sure to love. Don't forget that you can top any of them with marshmallows or whipped cream for an extra boost.

Basic hot chocolate

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup water

1/4 cup cocoa powder

4 cups milk

3/4 tsp vanilla extract

Blend the sugar, water and cocoa powder in a medium saucepan. Cook the mixture over medium heat until the sugar and cocoa are completely dissolved in the water and comes to a low boil. Turn the burner to low and add the milk and vanilla. Blend the mixture and heat it until the cocoa reaches a simmer. Remove from heat and serve. This recipe makes four servings.

Rich and creamy hot chocolate

1-1/2 cup milk

1 cup half and half

2 TBSP sugar

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 tsp vanilla

Place the milk, half and half, sugar and chocolate in a double boiler and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk. Cook the mixture until the chocolate is completely melted; continue to heat the mixture for another minute, then remove it from heat. Add the vanilla and blend. For an extra frothy hot chocolate, use a stick blender to whip the mixture, or blend on whip in an electric blender. This recipe makes enough to serve two.

Mocha hot chocolate

2-1/2 cup milk

3 TBSP sugar

1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 TBSP instant espresso (you may use regular instant coffee instead)

Place all of the ingredients into a double boiler and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk. Cook the mixture until there are small bubbles and the chocolate is completely melted. Continue to whisk it over low heat for another minute to ensure the chocolate is entirely dissolved. Remove the mocha hot chocolate from heat and serve. For an adult nightcap, add a shot of Kahlua Coffee Liqueur or Godiva Chocolate Liqueur.

Mexican hot chocolate

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 cup water

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 cups milk

1/2 cup half-and-half

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix the cocoa powder, sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the sugar is dissolved and the ingredients are well-blended. Add the cinnamon, milk and half-and-half and continue to blend with the whisk until the chocolate is simmering. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla. Serve piping hot.

Hot chocolate mix

Want to have hot chocolate in an instant? You can make this wonderful hot chocolate mix at home and you only need to add hot water when you are ready for hot chocolate.

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer

1 cup dried milk (powder)

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Blend all of the dried ingredients in a large bowl until they are thoroughly blended. Place 3 tablespoons of the mixture into a mug; fill the mug with hot water. Stir with a spoon. You may add more or less mixture to taste. Store the remaining mix in an airtight container.